Vending apparatus.



G. KERN.

VENDING APPARATUS.

ICATloN mED ocT. 12, 1916.

1,225,970. APP PatenaM 15,1917.

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17V VEN TOR.' GE ORGE KRM G. KERN.

VENDING lAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. I2. 1916.

Patented May 15, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SH EET 2.

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VENDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 0cT.12. 1916.

1,225,970. i Patented May15,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IN VENTOR.'

ATTORNEYS.

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G. KERN VENDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. i2. I9I6.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patented May 15, 1917.'

INVENTOR:

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GEORGE KERN', OF PERU', ILLINOIS.

VENDING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, i917.

Application filed October 12, 1916. Serial No. 125,202.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE KERN, an alien, former subject of the Empire of Germany, (who has declared his intention to 4become a citizen of the United States,) and residentof Peru, in the county of La Salle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending Apparatus; and do hereby declare that the following description of my said invention, taken in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings, forms a full, clear, and exact specification, which will enable others Skilled in the art to which my said invention appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates generally to improvements in vending machines, and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar combination or' parts, and details 'of construction, as hereinafter iirst fully set forth and described, and then pointed out in the claims.

The object of this invention is the production oi an eiiicient, serviceable, and attractive coin-receiving instrument wherein there are provided means which, when manipulated by a purchaser of certain merchandise or commodity, may entitle the purchaser to a bonus or premium, either in a like merchandise, or other article, as the seller of such merchandise may determine, it boing understood that the purchaser, by dropping the proper coin into the apparatus, pays for, and receives at all times, from the vender, the article purchased; and should this coin drop into a certain, predetermined compartment in the apparatus, the purchaser will receive as a discount or premium, such additional merchandise or article as the vender of the commodity purchased, may oder as an inducement to place the coin into the apparatus.

It is a well-established :tact that the oii'er of a premium to a purchaser of merchandise, either in the form of stamps, or coupons, a number of which may be used to purchase certain other articles, promotes trade, a fact which is recognized by many department stores, tobacconists, candy stores, etc., and my invention is based upon this fact. It comprises, therefore, a coin-receiving chamber, superposed by a cover in which there is a coin slot through which the coin. is dropped before an article is purchased. reis draps aree aired-,ar dials rbi-9h;

when rotated projects said coin into one of a number of compartments wherein said coin is temporarily retained. One or more of these compartments is, or are, designated the premium-allotting compartment, and if the'coin should accidentally drop into this compartment, the purchaser is entitled to his premium, cash discount or other bonus.

The compartments are covered by a transparent, preferably glass, cover, so that the coin when dropping into one of these compartments, may be seen, thereby precl'uding the possibility of a wrong coin or bogus token being placed into the apparatus without being detected. In these compartments there is a movable bottom, which when depressed, drops the coin into the coin-receptacle.l

This apparatus is adapted for the vending of all kinds of merchandise, such as cigars, tobacco, cigarettes, candies, and nunierous other articles. Nor is the same confined to one particular coin, it being merely a matter of size of the apparatus to accomf modate coins of any value up to a twentydollar gold piece.

in the drawings already referred to, which serve to illustrate the preferred embodiment of this invention more fully, and form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is an elevation of this improved apparatus. F ig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on line 3 3 of Fig. Q. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan on line i of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan of the drop bottom cmployed in this apparatus. Fig. 6 is a sec tional view of the same on line G-6 oty Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an inverted plan of the apparatus. F ig. 8 is a sectional elevation on line 88 of F ig. 9, showing part of the apparatus on a slightly larger scale than that on which Fig. 3 is drawn, the drop bottom or spider being shown indepressed con dition. F ig. 9 is a plan of the casing of this apparatus, all movable parts being removed therefrom.

rThis apparatus comprises a, preferably round, casing A, having a bottom le/lr, to afford a closed compartment or container B, constructed to receive the coins or tokens deposited in this apparatus. Near the lnedial portion of this casing A, there is an inwardly extending ledge or flange 13, from which ledge radiate toward the center of the apparatus, upwardly inclined bar s y14 extending te ,e llenar-)stal plate 15, a tease lip ill() 16 extending downwardly and outwardly from the plate 15 to close the upper or inner portions of the spaces between the bars 1l, the lower portions of these spaces remaining open, as shown in Fig. 9.

rThe flange or ledge 13 in the casing A, has an inner shoulder 13, and an outer shoulder 19, both shoulders extending upwardly from said flange and the casing respectively.

From a number, preferably three or four,v

'collar and the bottom of the Abore 23, and

surrounding said pin, there is a coil spring 26. To the lower end of this pin 2st there is secured a spider E, forming a bottom for thespaces 17, said spider being shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6. This spider has a rim 27 ,and from this rim project upwardly a series of members 2S, there being as many of these members 28 as there are spaces 17 in the body of the casing. These members 28 have vertical walls 29, and downwardly deflected flanges 30, the outer surfaces of which correspond to the inclination of the bars 1st, but when in assembled, normal, position, these outer surfaces are slightly below the outer surface of the flaring flange 16, and slightly below the upper marginal edge of the ring or rim 18.

ln the face of the ledge 13, there are placed numerals or characters 31, which, when the apparatus is in operative condition and the glass dome C in position, may be readily seen through the transparent dome D.

Referring to the superstructure, or dome C,Figs. 1 and 3, this dome is of substantially Zig-Zag transverse section, and comprises a lower section 32, having a laterallyextending flange 33, overlying the upper end of the glass dome D, so as to retain the same in proper position and prevent its removal. Its upper section 34C, is smaller in diameter than the lower section 32; and in its top 35, there is a coin slot 36. Centrally in the top 35, there is a bore in which there is rotatably mounted a tubular shaft 37, formed, preferably integrally, with a gear pinion 38. ln this top 35 there is a further bore at some distance from the tubular shaft 37; and in this bore is rotatably mounted a shaft 39, at the lower end of which shaft there is secured a gear wheel 40, meshing with the gear pinion 38. At the upper end of this shaft there is secured a button l1, by which said sha 't 39 may be rotated in a manner readily comprehended.

At the lower end of the tubular pinionshaft there is secured an annular disk or plate l2 overlying the top of the member 15.

ln the base or casing A, there are a series of lugs or 'cleats e3, 'to which the bottom Lll is properly secured. ln this bottom there is an opening f-lG, which openingl is closed by i a slide or similar means l5, 'which slide may be locked in closed position by a lock e7, the bail of which passes through lugs or ears 43, one of which is formed on the slide 15, and the other is placed on trie bottom all in adjacency to the opening #i6 therein. rlhis opening affords means for removing the coins from the coin-container B.

ln the tubular pinion shaft 37 there is removably placed a rod projecting for some distance from the top 35 of the dome C, said rod having a button 50, at its upper end, its lower end bearing" upon the collar 25 of the pin or bolt 2st. By means of this rod 49 the spider E may be depressed for the object hereinafter to be explained.

ln order to cause the coin 51 to locate properly in the dome C upon the plate 112, l locate in this dome a plate 54, Figs, 1, and 2, which plate has an opening 55 through which the coin passes. This plate has also two upstanding guards 5G, which prevent the coin from accidentally reaching the gearing located in said dome, and centrally it has a hole which serves as a. bearing for the lower end of thetubular pinion shaft 37.

T he operation of this apparatus is, essentially, as follows: Assume this apparatus being` used by a tobacconist who sells cigars of different prices, cigarettes, tobacco, pipes, etc. A purchaser desiring to buy a, say 5 cent, cigar drops his nickel into the coin slot 36, which nickel will fall onto the disk 42. By now whirling this dish by the button Ll1, the coin 51 is projected from said disk and passing underneath the glass dome D, will drop into one of the se ies of compartments resting` against the shoulder 13 upon the flaring surface 30 of the drop-bottom E, where the coin can be readily seen through glass dome D. Should this coin fall into the compartment which l term the bonus compartment, the purchaser, in addition to receiving the purchased article, will then be entitled to receive a bonus, which may be a further article or any other premium which the vender may be offering to the lucky purchaser. rlhe purchase being completed the 'vender pushes the rod i9 bv the button 50,

which depresses the drop-bottom E and causes the coin to slide olf the inclined surface 30, and to drop into the coinfreceiving compartment B.

It will now be noted that this device is not restricted to coins of a certain denomination. Should a purchaser desire to obtain an article of the value of 10 cents or more, he deposits the coin of the proper value into the coin-slot, and when the vender has convinced himself that the coin is of correct value, he delivers the article purchased and deposits the coin into the coin receptacle.

By purchasing an article of greater value than the smallest coin unit, for instance, purchasing an article costing 15 cents, the purchaser can drop first a coin of less value into the apparatus and Whirl the button; and this coin Will then determine Whether the purchaser is entitled to the premium. He then completes the purchase by dropping the additional coin into the coin slot; and if more than one coin is required to make up.

the full amount, he can drop all the additional coins, one after the other, into the coin slot and then Whirl the button to project them all at the same time into whatever compartments they may drop, and the venA der, having ascertained that the full amount has been deposited, delivers the purchased article.

One advantage derived from the use of this apparatus is that the vender never handles the purchase money, thereby preventing theft by a dishonest employee. This advantage will, in most cases, more than pay for the premium which a purchaser may receive if his coin reaches the premium compartment.

It will be further observed that when this apparatus is attractively made, it Will be an ornament on any store counter, and by its attractiveness and novelty, draw trade to the store.

Having thus fully described this invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure to myself by Letters Patent of the United Statesl. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, said coin receptacles having movable bottoms, a superstructure on said coin receptacle, a rotatable disk in said superstructure, gearing constructed to rotate said disk, and a coin receiving element in said superstructure through which a coin may be dropped upon said disk and projected into one of said coin-receiving compartments.

Q. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a closed coin re ceptacle, a series of coin-receiving compart ments above said coin receptacle, said coin receiving compartments having drop-bottoms, a superstructure on said coin receptacle, means in said superstructure constructed to project a coin into one of said coinreceiving compartments, and means for depressing said bottoms to cause said coin to drop into said coin receptacle.

3. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a coin-receiving element above said coin-receiving compartments, a movable bottom common to all of said coin-receiving compartments, means for projecting a coin deposited in said superstructure into one of said coin-receiving compartments, and means for depressing said movable bottom to cause a coin in one of said coin-receiving compartments to drop into said coin receptacle.

4. In a structure of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a coin-receiving lelement above said coin receptacle, a transparent cover over said coin-recei ving compartments, a coin-receiving element above said compartments, means for projecting a coin deposited in said coin-receiving element into ono of said coin-receiving compartments, aud means for reu'mving a coin from said coin-receiving compartments and passing it into said coin receptacle.

5. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a dome above said coin-receiving compartments, said dome having a coin-slot, a rotatable disk, said disk being horizontally disposed in said dome and adapted to support a coin passed through said coin slot, and means for rotating said disk to project said coin into one of said coin-receiving compartments.

6. 1n an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a dome above said coin-receiving compartments, said dome having a coin slot, a rotatable disk, said disk being horizontally disposed in said dome and adapted to support a coin passed through said coin slot, and means for rotating said disk to project said coin into one of said coin-receiving compartments, said means including a shaft supporting said horizontal disk, a gear pinion on said shaft, a further shaft, a. gear .vheel mounted on the latter shaft and meshing' vvith said gear pinion, and means extraneous of said dome for rotatin said gear-Wheel shaft.

7: n an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a dome above said coin receiving compartments, said dome having a coin slot, a rotatable disk, said disk being horizontally disposed in said dome and adapted to support a coin passed through said coin slot, means for rotating said disk to project said coin into one of said coin-recevng compartments, said coin-receiving compartments having each a bottom, and means for depressing said bottoms.

8. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series ofV coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a dome above said coin-receiving compartments, said dome having a coin slot, a rotatable disk, said disk being horizontally disposed in said dome and adapted to support a coin passed through said coin slot, means for rotating said disk rapidly to project a coinV into one of said coin-receiving compartments, said coin-receiving compartments having each a bottom, and means for simultaneously depressing all oi said bottoms.

9. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a transparent cover ver said coin-receiving compartments, said cover being spaced theretromto afford a passage lor a coin, a superstructure over said coin-rece' fing compartments, said su? perstructure having a coin slot, a rotatable disk, said disk being horizontally disposed in said superstructure and adapted to suppart a coin passed through said coin slot, means for rotating said disk to project said coin into one ot said coin-receiving compartments, said coin-receiving compartments having each a bottom, and means for depressing said bottoms.

10. In an apparatus ot the nature described, the combination of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a transparent cover over said coin-receiving compartments, said cover being spaced therefrom to afford a passage for a coin, a superstructure over said coin-receiving compartments, said superstructure having a coin slot, a rotatable disk, said disk being horizontally disposed in said superstructure and adapted to support a coin passed through said coin slot, means for rotating said disk to project said coin into one of said coin-receiving compartments, said coin-receiving compartments having each a bottom, and means for simultaneously depressing all of said bottoms.

11. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a superstructure over said coin-receiving compartments, there being a coin slot in said superstructure, a drop bott-om for said coin-receiving compartments, and means for depressing said drop bottom to cause a coin deposited in one of said compartments to drop into said coin receptacle.

12. In, an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, a superstructure over said coin-receiving compartments, there being a coin slot in said superstructure, a drop bottom for said coin-receiving compartments, and means for depressing said drop bottom to cause a coin deposited in one of said coin-receiving compartment-s to drop into said coin receptacle, said means including a spring device for supporting said bottom in elevated position, and a rod projecting from said superstructure constructed ior depressing said bottom.

13. In an apparatus of the naturev described, the combination, oi a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, an inverted-pa shaped element over said coin-receiving compartments, said pan-shaped element having centrally a tubular depending boss, a. bolt slidably located in said boss, a drop bottom in said coin-receiving compartments, said drop bottom being secured to the lower end of said bolt, a spring in said tubular boss .'or holding said drop bottom in normal, elevated, position, and means for depressing said bolt.

14e. In an apparatus of the nature dcscribed, the combination, of a coin receptacle, a series of coin-receiving compartments above said coin receptacle, an inverted-pan shaped element over said coin-receiving compartments, said pan-shaped element having centrally a tubular, depending, boss, a. bolt slidablylocated in said boss, a drop bottom in said coin-receiving compartments, said drop bottom being secured to the lower end of said bolt, a spring in said tubular boss `for holding said drop bottom in normal, elevated, position, means for depressing said bolt, a superstructure above said invertedpan shaped element, there being in said su perstructure a coin slot, and means in said superstructure constructed to project a coin dropped through the said coin slot into one of said coin-receiving compartments.

15. vIn an apparatus of the nature described, a casing, there being in said casing a coin receptacle, an inverted-pan shaped element over said coin receptacle, a series of bars connecting said casing to said panshaped element, thereby affording open spaces between said bars, and a filler in each of said spaces, constructed to aliord a bottom for each space and convert these spaces into coin-receiving compartments.

16. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a casing, there being in said casing a coin receptacle, an inverted-pan shaped element over said coin receptacle, a series of bars connecting'said casing to said pan-shaped element thereby affording open spaces between said bars, a filler in said spaces constructed to afford a bottom for each space and convert these spaces into coin-receiving compartments, said lillers being depressible.

Viso

17. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a casing, there being in said casing 2t coin receptacle, an inverted-pan shaped element over said coin receptacle, a series of' bars connecting seid casing to said pan-shaped element thereby attording open spaces between said bars, a filler in said Spaces Constructed to afford a bottom for each space and convert these spaces into coin-receiving compartments, said fillers being depressible, and means for compressing said fillers from the exterior of` said casing.

18. In an apparatus of the nature described, the combination, of a. oaslng, there being in said casing a coin receptacle, an inverted-pan shaped element over said coin receptacle, a series of bars connecting said casing to said pan-shaped element thereby affording open spaces between said bars, a

filler in each of said spaces constructed to afford a bottom for each Space and convert these spaces into Coin-receiving .i-'compartments, said llers being connected to a common support, and means for depressing seid support.

1n testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto set my hand, at Peru, 111., this 7th day of September, 1916.

GEORGE KERN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents cach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

